lives of loss and hearts of stone



`It had been a long time since she'd gone this fast. Even though her borrowed horse Archer was no thoroughbred, he still had the violent spring in his step that Shiramiah had carried. Beneathe her, she felt the familiar surge of power that had carried so many champions over the finish line. That unmistakeable, unforgettable urge when the horse tells its rider - "im ready." Archer gave a wild snort has this surge arrived, and Jocelyn leaned forward. Her whole back tensed dramatically as she pulled herself into the correct position, but settled again after she found herself in that position. Her whole body, her muscles, her bones her blood, were made for that position, and the moment that she attained it, Archer let loose. The wind was pushed aside in vicious streaks, and moaned and whined as it fell past, giving way to the massive power. His haunches ripped and tore away, propelling the beast forward. His hooves stabbed at the earth, the weak dust falling away under his stride. He was magnificient, but the empty part of her that the racehorses once filled still went unsatisfied. Archer was a beautiful gelding - any young girls dream. But he still didn't measure up to Shiramiah, the horse who almost killed her. He held the lean muscles of a race horse, and the long legs of a lifetime runner. He was the fastest horse she had ever ridden, and apparently the most unpredictable. He was the reason she loved horses. Their speed, their agility, and the wild streak that blazed so brightly. The fact that nothing about them was certain fascinated Jocelyn.

`As they passed the quarter mile mark, Jocelyn decided Archer had done enough, and gradually began to pull him back. The horse took some time to respond, pulling at the bit - refusing to stop, but eventually, he receeded and slowed to a gentle trot. Jocelyn rewarded him with a pat on his sweaty neck, that showed veins pulsing as the blood rushed through his body. Heat radiated off his skin, but he snorted, glad to have a run. "Good boy, Archer." She circled the gelding around, to face the opposite direction. A bay mare passed them on the inside rail at a frightful gallop, disappearing around the turn as quickly as she came. Jocelyn felt a pang of sadness and longing underneath her breastbone, and she frowned as she saw the rider. A girl, perhaps her age, doing exactly what Jocelyn's bones were meant for. A forlone sigh escaped her lips as she continued to stare at the mares movements. She would die to be on that horse. A rough buck brought Jocelyn out of her day dreams, and her hand hit the saddle hard. "Ow!" she breathed, holding her bruised hand. She should've known to never lose concentration at the race track. Cursing under her breath, she pulled Archer to the side at a brisk walk. She'd been stupid. After all, she'd learned to stay focused the hard way. A long, raking scar up her back reminded her most vividly of that.

`Now outside of the rail, she dismounted and leaned on the cold metal bar, her chin on her hands. Archer gave her a disappointed look, before joining her stare out onto the track. The bay mare passed them again, now at a slow canter. A grey stallion, much smaller than usual, overtook her at a breakneck gallop. She was surprised such a little horse could move so fast, but then again, she'd seen a lot in her lifetime. Jocelyn broke her gaze to examine her hand, which had now developed a faint purple bruise. She tapped it, irritated. Everything seemed to tell her to get away from the racetrack, as if it wasn't meant to be. She knew though, that it certainly was. Before she grew old and broken, she'd soar like that again. She'd ride faster than anybody else - and no one would tell her no.

lives of loss and hearts of stone



` Twice more did the bay mare passed them, her neck stretched out, her legs blurred in speed. The glint in her eyes were magnificient, and the rider, very acomplished. The leaned forward in the perfect position, giving the horse just enough room to move, but without letting her get away. Her heels were down, and her legs gave her perfect balance - without gripping the sides. Her head was up, and she looked where she was going. She was a more or less perfect rider. Jocelyn certainly couldn't pick out any faults, not from here anyway. Jocelyn sighed in jealousy, wishing she was up there. Although Archer had been eager and willing, he wasn't the same as race horses. He didn't think like a race horse. He didn't feel like a race horse. He wasn't ... he wasn't Shiramiah. Jocelyn put her head on her hands forlornly, feeling sorry for herself until her knuckles began to hurt. She stood up, just in time to see a face, somewhat familiar, but she couldn't be sure.

` "Oh, haha. He just looked like he needed a good stretch." She said, giving the dark gelding a pat, who in return snorted happily. At his next comment, she didn't know whether to smile or frown. Girl? Jocelyn was seventeen, hardly a girl. She wanted to say, but that propably wasn't the best way to start a conversation. Jocelyn decided to go with the polite way. "I am. I used to exercise race horses, down at the track. Its actually just ten minutes from here. It was great ... until-" She stopped there. Jocelyn was sure he didn't want to have to deal with the drama in her life. She was already far too bogged down with her own problems - no point dragging some one else into it. "But ... I've never actually raced before." she said, trailing off a little as she watched the bay mare go past again.

`When he introduced himself, she realised that niether had she, and offered her hand out to shake. "I'm Jocelyn." Jocelyn could've smacked her forehead, but a sense of pride held her back. Of course! He was from the stables! "Yeah I've seen you around." she laughed and smiled, genuinely, and it was the first time in a while. "You must enjoy it." she joked, towards the babysitting remark. She paused for a little, as an idea popped into her head. "I'm actually looking for work. My parents are caught up in," she shook her head, "issues, and I really need to earn some cash. Do you know if there are any positions available?"